India is secular nation. It’s as secular as its people treat their sports stars, matinee idols and netas as Gods and considering their professions as religions. It might sound weird to western countries when they came to know about temples built for actresses like Kushboo and Namitha. But it’s no surprise for us (Indians) as we knew how much we worship our favourite icons.
Now, taking this to new level (said to be new low), a temple has been constructed for Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi hailing her as Telangana Goddess (Telangana Devatha). Congress party leaders, members from Karimnagar (hotbed of Telangana movement) have constructed a cardboard temple at Indira Chowk in their town and dedicated it to Ms Sonia Gandhi where pujas are being performed for her photograph. Party leaders said that Mrs Gandhi was a goddess for the people of Telangana as she took a decision in favour of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Congress leader Y Sunil Rao set up the temple. MP Ponnam Prabhakar and other congress leaders offered special prayers and broke coconuts and gave Aarathi to Sonia’s portrait.
What’s interesting and raising curiosity is that this temple was constructed very close to the statue of her mother-in-law, Late prime minister Indira Gandhi, who was considered to be a strong supporter of united AP.
It is being viewed as an attempt to counter the act of Samaikyandhra protesters who built a tomb (Samadhi) for Ms Gandhi in Tirupati recently, for attempting to divide the state haphazardly and in undemocratic manner for cheap political gains.
India is secular nation. It’s as secular as its people treat their sports stars, matinee idols and netas as Gods and considering their professions as religions. It might sound weird to western countries when they came to know about temples built for actresses like Kushboo and Namitha. But it’s no surprise for us (Indians) as we knew how much we worship our favourite icons.
